Is flexible working all it’s cracked up to be?

THE workplace is changing, and fast. The digital economy, shifting priorities of employees and technological advances all mean that adaptation is essential – and possible.

A prime example of this is the idea of flexible, or agile, work environments.

While once considered an abstract concept often viewed with disdain from employers who equated presenteeism with productivity, it is now a central pillar to people’s employment criteria.

Having the freedom to occasionally work outside the office and have more autonomy over your work hours may sound like an absolute slam-dunk. But is the future of flexible working all it’s cracked up to be?

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The simple answer is, yes.

But as with anything in this life, that comes with caveats.

What employees want

The rise of flexible working is understandably recent, given that advancements in modern technology are what make it possible in the first place. But what is surprising is just how many people now consider it an important factor when looking for employment, especially in Asia-Pacific.

A recent study from human resources specialist Randstad found 89 percent of employees in the region prefer agile working as it allows them to maintain a good work-life balance. In both Malaysia and China, 90 percent of employees agreed with this sentiment.

We also spoke to several executives at regional recruitment firm Robert Walters to get their take. When asked what people are looking for in employers, a recurring theme was flexibility as work life is about more than just a paycheque these days.

“Candidates are placing more importance on factors other than just salary when it comes to making employment decisions,” Kimberlyn Lu, Country Manager of Robert Walters Malaysia, told Asian Correspondent.

“[In response to this] an increased number of companies offering agile or flexible working arrangements to attract talent.”